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ESSA Level III Promising Evidence
Independent Research Study · 2024–2025

Derivita works.
The proof is in the data.

Researchers: Elizabeth Allen Green, Ph.D. & Molly Henschel, Ph.D.
Published March 6, 2026 · The EdTech Collective & International Centre for EdTech Impact
Executive Summary

Derivita contracted with Instructure to examine the relationship between student use of Derivita and math learning outcomes. Guided by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards, researchers designed the study to satisfy Level III (Promising Evidence) requirements — the standard districts rely on when evaluating evidence-based edtech investments. View the complete study.

Main Research Finding

Grade 8 students showed a statistically significant, positive association between the average number of Derivita questions answered per day and their math assessment scores.

1,647
Grade 8 students
in the study
1.03
Avg. Derivita questions
answered per day
0.34
Statistically significant
effect size (p < .001)
+13
Percentile points gained
per question/day
What does +13 percentile points look like?
 
0th50th (baseline)63rd (with Derivita)100th

A student performing at the 50th percentile would be expected to move to the 63rd percentile with just one additional Derivita question answered per day — a meaningful, measurable lift.

Study Design & Methods

Researchers used a correlational design aligned with ESSA Level III evidence standards. The study was conducted during the 2024–25 school year with 1,647 eighth-grade students from a large suburban district of over 30,000 students in the Western United States.

Measure Description
Usage Metric Number of Derivita questions answered per day (student level)
Outcome Derivita math assessment standardized scores
Control Variable Prior Derivita math assessment scores (controls for selection bias)
Analysis Method Multilevel Linear Model (MLM), students nested within teachers
ESSA Level III Requirements Met

This study satisfies all minimum criteria for ESSA Level III (Promising Evidence):

  • Correlational study with proper design and implementation
  • Statistical controls through covariates (prior math scores)
  • Students nested within teachers via Multilevel Linear Model
  • At least one statistically significant, positive correlation with controls for selection bias
Derivita ESSA Level III Study (2024–2025)
Conducted by The EdTech Collective & ICEI in partnership with Instructure
Derivita · Evidence-Based Math Instruction